LA guarantees one tuition-free year of college in 2017

LOS ANGELES— Los Angeles will be the largest city in America to guarantee high school graduates in the class of 2017 at least one tuition-free year of higher education.

Mayor Eric Garcetti and a host of local and national partners Sept.14 launched the LA College Promise, on the campus of Los Angeles City College.

LAUSD students who began classes in the fall and graduate in 2017 will be the first to qualify for the LA College Promise, which guarantees admission and a year of tuition-free education on one of the nine campuses in the Los Angeles Community College District.

The L.A. College Promise will provide students with resources and support that ranges from tutoring and mentoring programs to financial literacy workshops.

Mayor Garcetti was joined at the launching by Dr. Jill Biden, the second lady of the United States; Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom; LACCD Board of Trustees President Scott Svonkin; LAUSD Board President Steve Zimmer; LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez; and LAUSD Superintendent Michelle King.

“Higher education should be within reach for every student in Los Angeles. The LA College Promise is a path for every Angeleno to earn a high school diploma and pursue the skills and education they need to realize their dreams and potential,” said Mayor Garcetti.

The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles has raised $1.75 million to cover more than half the cost of the first year of LA College Promise. Donors include the Karsh Family Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Union Bank Foundation, and the Baxter Family Foundation.

To be eligible for enrollment, applicants must be graduating LAUSD seniors (Class of 2017) who are eligible for California in-state resident tuition and have completed FAFSA or California Dream Act applications.

Last year, the White House released the America’s College Promise proposal to make two years of community college free for responsible students.

“Today, there is tremendous reason to celebrate. We are making a declaration — an assurance that you can attend one year of school tuition-free. An assurance that you can concentrate on your studies, and get ahead,” said Dr. Biden.

Unemployment is currently highest among Americans who completed their education with a high school diploma or less. By 2020, an estimated 35 percent of job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree — and 30 percent will require some college or an associate’s degree, according to a Georgetown University report.

“Of the 30,000 students who graduated in 2015, more than 60 percent pursued a post-secondary education immediately after high school, including 37 percent who enrolled in community college,” reported Superintendent Michelle King. “With this new agreement in place, the Class of 2017 will be empowered to enroll in a community college that offers the courses, the certificate and the transfer opportunities for them to embark on a career or pursue a university degree.”

For more information about L.A. College Promise, please visit LACollegePromise.org